steele



(No Model.)

L. T. STEELE.

MEGHANIGS SGAFFOLD. No. 277,953. Patented May 22,1883.

Fly-1.

ATE-NT FETCH,

LACY T. STEELE, OF RAYMOND CITY, WEST VIRGINIA.

MECHANICS SCAFFOLD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 277,953, dated May 22, 1883. Application filed January 26, 1883. No model.)

To all whom it may concern 4 Be it known that I, LACY T. STEELE, of Raymond City, in the county of Putnam and State of West Virginia, have invented certain -new and useful Improvements in Mechanics of this specification.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the device in position for use, the derrick being shown in dotted lines; Fig. 2, an enlarged detail perspective, showing the manner of securing the flooring; Fig. 3,a section showing the construction at the point where the derrick-mast is socketed in the scaffold; Fig. 4:, an elevation of the diagonal of the bracket.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanics scafi'olds; and its object is to furnish a simple and strong device which can be easily and quickly put up and taken down.

The invention consists in a scaffold having the peculiarities of construction hereinafter explained, and in combination therewith a derrick especially adapted for use in such connection, as herein fully set forth. I

In the annexed drawings, the letter A indicates a triangular bracket, composed of the arms a a and the diagonal a -the first two solid, the last consisting of two strips, an, dovetailed into the endsof the arms, with a space between them... The converging ends of the arms a a are secured together within a metallic corner-iron or shoe, B, which is preferably made in one piece; but its cheeks and sides may be made separate, and all secured when the bracket is put together.

Projectingat right angles from the sides of the horizontal arm a are loops 0, their number depending upon that of the planks to be used. These planks D are provided near their ends, on the under side, with vertical loops E, their position being shown in Fig. 2. The relation of those on the planks to those on the bracket is such that when the flooring is in place the planks cannot move sidewise, as

their loops are within those of the bracket and prevent such action. In this position they are held by a rod, F, which is threaded through the two series of loops.

Pivoted by a pin, g, within the shoe B is the end of the upper portion,g, of the extensible brace G, which passes down between the strips n n, and is adjustably held to the lower portion, 9 by the loops p.

In forming this scaffold two brackets are used, on which the planks D are placed, their ends d resting part way upon the arms a, and the loops E coming into position, where they are caught and held by the rods F, as stated. If it is designed to use more than one section, another set of planks with another bracket is brought into requisition, each bracket having two sets of loops, so as to permit the sections to be secured together. The scaffold is placed against a wall, as shown in Fig. 1, and elevated to the desired position by extending the I braces G and securing them by pins, as clearly indicated. If desirable, several sections can be placed one on another, the braces of the one above resting oirthe flooring of the one beneath, the upper sections being lifted up by tackle secured to the wall above. The braces G are adjusted, particularly in lowering, by means of a lever, N, which is pivoted by a pin, n, to the lower portion, 9 and straddles the upper portion, 9. A pin, 02?, is run through one of the holes in this portion, which rests on the lever, and this portion can either be lifted by bearing the lever against the pin n or lowered by allowing the weight of the scaffold to force the pin against the lever. These movements can be regulated by using a pin, a, to hold the parts at'any point while the pin a is changed for another stroke.

With this scaffold it is designed to use the derrick shown in the drawings. Through the horizontal arm a of one of the brackets a hole, It, is made, platesl 1 being placed at each end, the upper one being countersunk, so as to be flush and not interfere with the flooring, the planks which come over the hole It being notched at that point. In this hole It is stepped the mast m of the derrick M when light work only is to be done. When there is heavy work a triangular base, K, is placed upon the scafl'old, its hole 7c registering with the one It, and its point k held securely by an The derrick is stepped into the eyebolt, k registering-holes 76' 70, as shown in Fig. 3, and

is held rigidly by the guys which run from the top of the mast to the triangular base, as

, invention.

shown. To the arm of the derrick is to hang a fall for hauling up material, &c.

Various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the The loops 0 may be placed horizontally, and when the planking is put on the loops E dropped through the loops 0 and the rodF run through them. This would hold the parts firmly together and keep the planks from moving. Additional guys may be put on the derrick, running to the edge of the triangular base. Ifit is desired to increase the height of the scaffold, additional braces can be added, their upper rounded ends fitting in the concave lower ends of bracesG, the joints being made secure by means of a ring and pin.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In an adjustable scaffold, the brace G, consisting of the two portions g g in combh nation with the adjusting-lever N, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The brackets provided with loops and the planks provided with loops, in combination with the securing-rods, substantially as described, for securing them together.

3. The. brackets A, having loops (J, and the planks D, having loops E, in combination with the rods F, as set forth.

4. A scaffold one of the brackets of which has a stepping-hole, 7c, in combination with a derrick, M, the post m of which passes through a base, K, into such hole 70 and the base K, the derrick being properly guyed and provided with a device for hoisting, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereby aftlx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LACY T. STEELE.

\Vitnesses:

AUGUSTUS A. HANLY, G. V. HoLsTEIN. 

